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3 Top Myths Of Salary Negotiations – 4/1/2014

Stop believing in three salary negotiation myths.

So you’ve gotten a job offer for a general position in a healthcare facility, but there’s a catch—they want YOU to tell them what you think you should make. This question scares even the most highly educated executives
and often causes people to turn down job offers out of this fear. This fear is driven by a myth that salary negotiation is a trick method used by companies to weed out those who want a decent salary; this just isn’t the case. Below are the top myths of salary negotiation and how they're busted.

1. It's a no-no to negotiate salary.

Whatever you do, don’t negotiate your salary! Since this is the most believed myth, it seems fitting to start with it first. A college education and years of experience normally warrants a salary on the higher end of the scale, rather than a typical entry level salary. However, some businesses offer entry-level salaries in hopes that the potential employee will negotiate the salary a bit higher. This doesn’t mean that if you're offered $30,000 a year you can negotiate $50,000 or $60,000, but somewhere in between is a happy medium that the employer is all too willing to accept.

2. The key to winning a salary negotiation is to offer a low salary.

Many people apply for jobs that require them to set a salary that they are comfortable with based on their experience. Due to competitive job offers in the healthcare field, many people make the mistake of offering a lower salary thinking it will improve their chances of getting hired. Here’s the problem—the employer took the time out to look through your resume, to siphon through your experience, and your educational background. Based on this information, they’d like to give you, the applicant, a chance to negotiate what salary you’d be comfortable starting with. If you offer a low salary, this could show the employer that you’re either desperate, or you don’t believe in your own abilities. According to the Georgia Department of Labor, when negotiating your salary, you should keep your options flexible for a better chance of success.

3. The economy should dictate when it’s the right time to negotiate your salary.

Regardless of how the economy is doing, there are more jobs than ever opening up in the healthcare industry. Positions in medical records, administrative offices, and even as nurses are growing and are expected to continue growing over the next five years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income for a medical records and health information technician is $34,160 per year, which is more than sufficient in a time where most Americans are suffering from lower salaries. In a weak economy, this will not mean that you will lose the right to negotiate a fair salary. Just remember, U.S. News recommends only talking about your worth to the company when negotiating your salary and not your personal finances.